RENEW is dedicated to increasing access to the benefits of renewable energy for everyone in the Badger State. To accelerate the clean energy transition, we are focusing on the following key policy priorities:
Affirming the legality of third-party financing
Third-party financing is a solution to the barrier of upfront costs associated with renewable energy projects and makes ‘going solar’ an accessible option for low to middle-income homeowners, churches, government agencies, and nonprofits. Legal clarity on third-party financing is essential to expand access to clean energy. Learn more at wisolarcoalition.com.
Implementing fair and clear distributed generation policies
Breweries, farms, manufacturers, solar companies, families, congregations, and others produce clean energy that benefits the electric grid. RENEW is working to ensure that electricity is valued fairly by advocating for improvements on net metering, parallel generation rates, and interconnection rules. If we get these policies right, Wisconsin can reach its clean energy potential.
Expanding Community Solar
Community solar is a simple solution that enables residential, commercial, and large energy customers to shift to renewables and reduce energy bills. Presently, 21 states have policies supporting community solar, but Wisconsin lacks a similar framework. Learn more at wisolarcoalition.com.
Building A Roadmap for Wisconsin’s Zero Carbon Future
RENEW is partnering with Clean Wisconsin and GridLab to conduct a zero-carbon grid study for the PSC’s consideration.
Our analysis will help answer the following questions:
- What is the right mix of renewable resources in-state and out-of-state?
- What is a reasonable balance between utility-scale and distributed solar resources?
- How much transmission capacity is needed to achieve a zero-carbon future?
- What will be the health, jobs, and economic impacts as we make this clean grid transition?
Learn more about Wisconsin’s Clean Energy Plan HERE.
Buyback Rates and the Business Case for Distributed Generation in Wisconsin
In June of 2020, the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin (PSC) opened an investigation into parallel generation (docket 5-EI-157). Parallel generation refers to distributed generation (DG) that is sited at a customer’s premises and can 1) produce energy for the...
read more
Join The Conversation About Potential Net Metering Policy Changes
Net metering is a billing policy that enables customers who generate electricity from solar energy to receive a bill credit for the excess energy they add to the grid. This arrangement allows residential and business customers to generate their own electricity, reduce...
read more
Rooftop Potential Solar PV Study – Boundless potential…how do we unlock it?
Wisconsin's rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) marketplace is still in its infancy. In 2020, rooftop solar generating capacity was approximately 104 megawatts (MW), representing about 1/3rd of one percent (or 0.333%) of all the electricity produced in our state. However,...
read more
The PSC’s Zero-Carbon Roadmap: First Steps on a Path to a Clean Grid
In 2019, Governor Evers issued Executive Order #38 to establish a goal for carbon-free electricity in Wisconsin by 2050. As the state regulator of utilities, the Public Service Commission (PSC) is tasked with regulating the number one sector source for greenhouse gas...
read more
MGE Rate Settlement a Big Victory for Residential Customers and Clean Energy
In a stunning policy reversal, Madison Gas and Electric (MGE) submitted a proposal to lower monthly charges and raise energy rates for its residential electric customers. Filed on September 3rd, MGE’s rate application is strongly backed by customer groups and clean...
read moreDuring the 2021-2022 legislative session, RENEW’s focus included clean energy financing, electric vehicles, community solar, third-party financing, and energy storage. See the results of the session HERE.
AB 588 • Legislative UPDATE Assembly to Vote Today on Legislation Restricting Solar Powered EV Charging Stations!
On February 15th SB 573 passed the State Senate on a (mostly) partisan vote of 19-13. All Democrats voted against the bill. Sen. Steve Nass was the only GOP Senator who voted against it. The State Assembly has placed the bill on today’s floor calendar...
read more
Legislative UPDATE • AB 588 / SB 573 • State Senate to Vote on Legislation Restricting Solar Powered EV Charging Stations!
On Friday, February 11th SB 573 was recommended for passage on a 3-2 vote by the Senate Committee on Utilities, Technology, and Telecommunications. The bill was immediately put on the State Senate floor calendar for tomorrow, Tuesday, February 15th. If the...
read more
Congress Must Act on Clean Energy
Federal clean energy and climate investments are more crucial than ever. Congress must deliver a deal that includes clean energy investments in the Build Back Better Act. This is a make-or-break moment to shore up the electric grid and help accelerate renewable energy...
read more
Legislative Alert: Legislation Restricting Solar Powered EV Charging Stations – Public Hearing February 2nd
AB 588 / SB 573 (Sen. Cowles and Rep. VanderMeer) will have a hearing in the State Senate and a committee vote in the Assembly this week at the State Capitol. This legislation attempts to clarify that selling electricity by the kilowatt-hour...
read more
Federal Infrastructure Package will provide billions of dollars for electric vehicles
On Friday, the House of Representatives passed the $1.2T Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act – better known as the Federal Infrastructure Package – which will provide billions of dollars for electric vehicles, including: $7.5B for a national electric vehicle (EV)...
read more
City of Madison Launches 2022 Residential Solar Program
On Tuesday, March 22, 2022, the City of Madison and RENEW Wisconsin announced the 2022 MadiSUN residential solar group buy program. MadiSUN is for Madison-area homeowners looking to install solar-electric systems. In its seventh year, the program offers Dane County...
read more
City of Madison and Dane County Launch 2021 Solar Programs
On Tuesday, April 27, 2021, the City of Madison and Dane County announced the start of this year's MadiSUN Solar Energy Programs. The MadiSUN programs aim to expand access to local renewable energy and include initiatives and grants that assist residents, businesses,...
read more
17 More Wisconsin Nonprofits to be Powered by Renewable Energy through RENEW Wisconsin Solar for Good Program
RENEW Wisconsin’s Solar for Good program has awarded over $190,000 in cash grants and materials to Wisconsin nonprofits for installing on-site solar energy systems. Seventeen organizations will install 719 kilowatts of clean, renewable electricity leading to nearly...
read more
Solar for Good Program Spurs $1.8 Million in Renewable Energy Investments for Wisconsin Nonprofits
RENEW Wisconsin’s Solar for Good program will issue over $150,000 worth of solar panels to Wisconsin nonprofits as part of their spring 2020 funding cycle. These grants will go to 10 organizations across the state that together will install 789 kilowatts of clean,...
read more
‘Wisconsin Clean Energy Toolkit’ is a guidebook for a cleaner future
RENEW Wisconsin, Wisconsin Conservation Voters, and Sierra Club have released the Wisconsin Clean Energy Toolkit: Developing a Clean Energy Plan for Your Community. Towns, villages, cities, and counties in Wisconsin are building the renewable energy economy. The...
read more